Chronicle • Ken StevensThe hearse carrying the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Todd A. Singleton of Muskegon, top, passes the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3195, at 5209 Grand Haven Road in Norton Shores Monday morning. Singleton's body is transported from a hearse to Sytsema Funeral Home, 737 Apple, above, in preparation for Wednesday's funeral. Singleton, 24, died of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device and small arms fire April 8, Easter Sunday, while serving in Iraq.

Chronicle • Cory MorseThe hearse carrying the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Todd A. Singleton passes Nancy Willcutt as part of a procession for Singleton Monday in front of the West Michigan Veterans Services, 165 E. Apple in Muskegon. Willcutt, who is from Muskegon, said her brother died in the Vietnam war. "I'm out here to support whatever I can," she said.

Veterans and schoolchildren, parents holding babies, friends and strangers lined the streets of Muskegon Monday morning to welcome home the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Todd Singleton.

Singleton, 24, died of wounds suffered on Easter Sunday when his unit was ambushed outside Baghdad by enemy forces using explosives and small arms fire.

Hundreds of people stood at intersections and along city streets, in church parking lots and outside Veterans of Foreign War posts to honor the fallen soldier who will be buried with full military rites Wednesday.

"I'm here to pay my respects," said Tom Stafford, 79, of North Muskegon, a veteran of World War II and Korea.

A member of the Muskegon County Council of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stafford was with at least 40 other veterans outside the Wilbur Boyer V.F.W. Post 3195 on the corner of Grand Haven Road and Porter Street, who formed an honor guard for the passing motorcade.

"It's sad, real sad," Stafford said. "You see the young family, and that's the hard part."
Singleton's family followed the hearse bearing his body through the city.

A grief-stricken Stephanie Singleton, 25 -- the soldier's widow -- could be seen looking out the window at the mourners alongside the road. At least 50 cars driven by family members, military escorts, motorcycles and police from the Michigan State Police and Muskegon County Sheriff's Department, as well as Muskegon and Norton Shores police departments followed behind the hearse.

Chronicle • Cory MorseThe jet carrying the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Todd A. Singleton backs into a hanger Monday at the Muskegon County Airport in Norton Shores.

Beth and Chris Singleton of Muskegon watched the procession across the street from Sytsema's at 737 Apple with their two children, Rhayn, 4, and 6-month-old Salma.

It was intensely emotional for the family.

Chris Singleton, 27, is a "distant" relative of the fallen soldier's. Beth Singleton, 26, went all the way through elementary, junior high and high school with Todd Singleton in the Reeths-Puffer Public Schools and counts him "as a good friend."

As the motorcade made its way east on Apple Avenue toward Sytsema's Funeral Home, Beth Singleton could no longer contain her tears welling.

"At first I wasn't going to come (to the procession)," she said, cradling the baby in her arms whom she couldn't help but note is "only five days older that Todd and Stephanie's daughter, Emma."

Beth Singleton and her husband will be at the visitation tonight at Sytsema Funeral Home. Plus she faces an emotional day Tuesday as a floral designer for Ray and Sharon's Flowers, designing funeral arrangements for the fallen soldier.

"I thought about not coming because there's so much else," she said, "but it didn't feel right not to."

A funeral with full military honors will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fifth Reformed Church, 2330 Holton, with the Capt. John E. Kenny, Michigan National Guard chaplain officiating. Interment will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens, 2188 Remembrance.

Singleton was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Singleton is survived by his wife, Stephanie Singleton; their 6-month-old daughter, Emma; and his parents, Donna and Arthur Dykhouse and Douglas and Brenda Singleton, all of Muskegon; and numerous brothers and sisters.

For the complete story, return to Mlive.com or pick up a copy of Tuesday's Muskegon Chronicle.